A new look at Disney’s expanding Little Mermaid universe puts Ariel and Sebastian back under the sea, but the larger focus this year appears to be on Ursula. While Ariel remains one of Disney’s most recognizable princesses, attention is shifting toward a prequel comic that explores the origins of her longtime antagonist.
Released through Dynamite Entertainment, Disney Villains: Ursula #1 revisits the world of The Little Mermaid years before Ariel’s story begins. Written by Sherri L. Smith with art by Gabriele Bagnoli, the series positions Ursula as one of the ruling Seven Sea Witches. The story centers on political conflict beneath the ocean’s surface, including the removal of power from one of Ursula’s royal sisters, which sets off a calculated retaliation. Rather than reframe Ursula as misunderstood, the comic appears to lean into her ambition and capacity for revenge while providing additional context for her exile and resentment toward King Triton.
The Little Mermaid has maintained cultural relevance since its 1989 animated debut, often cited as a catalyst for Disney’s Renaissance era. Its Broadway-style songs and strong character designs helped define a generation of animated films. The franchise has since expanded through direct-to-video sequels, an animated television series, stage adaptations, and crossover appearances in games and theme parks. In 2023, Disney revisited the story in live-action form, reintroducing Ursula to modern audiences in a new iteration portrayed by Melissa McCarthy.
The comic series is part of Dynamite’s broader Disney Villains line, which has previously spotlighted characters such as Maleficent, Scar, Hades, and Cruella De Vil. These projects typically explore formative events or alternate perspectives that deepen established lore without rewriting core canon. Ursula’s arc is expected to run for five issues, following the format of earlier installments in the series.
Disney has already tested the commercial viability of villain-focused storytelling through films like Maleficent and Cruella, as well as the Descendants franchise. These projects demonstrated that audiences are willing to engage with stories centered on antagonists, particularly when those characters have strong visual identities and defined motivations. Ursula, with her theatrical presence and manipulative intelligence, fits that mold.
Whether this prequel comic leads to a larger screen adaptation remains uncertain. However, expanding Ursula’s backstory through print suggests ongoing interest in developing the darker corners of The Little Mermaid universe. For a franchise that began with a princess longing for life on land, the current momentum shows that stories beneath the sea still offer room for reinterpretation and expansion.
